A Survey of Sued Surgeon's Reactions to Malpractice Litigation

All practicing physicians are vulnerable to medical malpractice claims. Medical malpractice claims have many adverse effects on physicians so called medical malpractice stress syndrome. To describe the reactions of this syndrome on surgeon’s who sued by Legal Medicine Organization Complaints Commissions in I. R of Iran. cross sectional study of sued physicians in 6month on 175 surgeons، self-reported reactions to malpractice litigation by using an anonymous questionnaire. from 175 case 81% was male and19% was female with average age of 48/5 years. Study relieved more than 97% of sued physicians acknowledge some physical and/or emotional reaction. Physical responses typically include the onset of a physical illness، such as palpitation or dyspepsia in 69%. Emotional responses are more common and may range from anger to profound depression or other responses such as sleep interference and disorder in concentration in 77%. In addition to the significant personal responses to malpractice litigation، a claim may substantially impact physician''s professional and social life in 84%. These physicians are more likely to stop seeing patients who seem to have a greater risk of experiencing a bad outcome or of propensity to initiate a suit. In women after being sued feelings of loss work is common. There was related between Feelings of loneliness or emptiness; avoidance of reminders of the loss (patient situations، activities) and loss of interest in work are more common with palpitation in 53%. A complaint or law suit is common in the daily practice of Surgeons، yet in today''s medico-legal environment they pose a constant potential threat. The threat of، or actual، legal process can cause psychological، physical and behavioral practice changes that noticeable in I R of Iran.